Eddie Johnson (racing driver)

Eddie Johnson (February 10, 1919 – June 30, 1974) was an American racecar driver.

Eddie Johnson
Born(1919-02-10)February 10, 1919
DiedJune 30, 1974(1974-06-30) (aged 55)
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality American
Active years19521960
TeamsTrevis, Kurtis Kraft, Turner, Pawl, Kuzma
Entries9
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums0
Career points1
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0
First entry1952 Indianapolis 500
Last entry1960 Indianapolis 500

Born in Richmond, Virginia, Johnson died in a plane crash near Cleveland, Ohio. The National Transportation Safety Board ruled the probable cause was pilot error, specifically attempting to fly visually in unsuitable weather and structurally overloading the airplane.[1] He drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1950–1952 and 1955–1966 seasons with 33 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in all of those years but the first two. He finished in the top ten 9 times, with his best finish in 3rd position, in 1959 at Trenton. Late in his career, Johnson frequently came to Indianapolis without an assigned car only to be signed on to a team which needed a driver to put a struggling car in the race.[2] In 1965, Johnson became the last person on the track in the Indianapolis 500 mile race with a naturally aspirated Offenhauser in a roadster. Johnson was flagged to finish in 10th place. Johnson was a high school acquaintance of 1950 Indianapolis 500 winner Johnny Parsons.

Indianapolis 500 results

* shared drive with Jim Rathmann
** shared drive with Rodger Ward

  • During his Indy career, Eddie Johnson drove nearly five thousand miles without leading a lap. Only Chet Miller has completed more laps at Indianapolis without leading a lap.

World Championship career summary

The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. Eddie Johnson participated in 9 World Championship races and scored 1 World Championship point.

References

  1. https://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief.aspx?ev_id=33284&key=0
  2. Davidson, Donald. "The Talk of Gasoline Alley". May 8, 2012. Emmis Communications. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
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